Athletes will stride out on to the field of play amid theatrical lighting to rock and pop soundtracks as part of plans to bring a shimmer of razzmatazz to the London 2012 Olympics.

The London organising committee has hired former X Factor frontman Ben Shephard as an on-screen presenter. Swimming finalists will emerge one by one on to the poolside from an arch flashing with coloured LEDs. Boxers and wrestlers will be picked out with spotlighting as they walk out to compete in an effort to add drama to events, the London organising committee announced on Wednesday.

"We wanted to be innovative and do something different in 2012," said Debbie Jevans, Locog director of sport. "We believe this will add to the experience of the spectator, but sport remains paramount and the integrity of the sport and the rules of it will be maintained. We are going to enhance that, not interfere with it."

Jevans said athletes had not resisted the departure from normal competition presentation. "We have spoken to the international federations and worked with them," she said. "They have agreed it will add to the atmosphere and the athletes' experience of 2012."

"Mood" videos with booming soundtracks such as Right Here, Right Now by Fatboy Slim, will be played before events and will show images such as Ian Thorpe crying when he won gold in the pool and Rebecca Adlington punching the air. The organisers denied the music would dwarf the atmosphere in the stadium.

"We are being mindful of it and in no way are we going to drown out the atmosphere that will be built up," said Jevans, adding that the music would be selected to be appropriate to each venue. For example, Elton John will be played at the archery at Lord's cricket ground, Dizzee Rascal will be played at the basketball and Muse in the main stadium.

The organisers have also recorded 200 "A-Z" videos explaining each sport to be played on giant video screens before events. They will point out the technical elements of each sport and explain some of the basic rule and will also be available to broadcasters in a move that will bring the TV and live experience closer together.

"Even though the UK is a nation of sports fans, many of the sports people will never have seen before," said Jevans. "If you understand the sport your enjoyment is that much more."

For £10 spectators will be able to buy in-ear audio devices to provide running commentary. The commentary will be available at sessions of gymnastics, athletics, rowing, mountain biking, judo, canoeing, BMX, fencing, table tennis, badminton and wrestling.